LIHUE — Next time around, one Kauai father will be sure not to leave the babysitter waiting. A Hanapepe woman was given three days jail and probation for assaulting the father who left her with his children for several more
LIHUE — Next time around, one Kauai father will be sure not to leave the babysitter waiting.
A Hanapepe woman was given three days jail and probation for assaulting the father who left her with his children for several more hours than agreed to while he visited a bar.
Mandy Abreu, 18, of Hanapepe, was arrested Feb. 2 for second-degree assault and two counts of third-degree assault. One charge was later changed to abuse of family or household member, and she pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of third-degree assault on Feb. 25.
State Deputy Public Defender John Calma said the incident arose after Abreu was asked to babysit the two children of the victim “for a little while.” The victim instead visited a Koloa tavern for several hours and didn’t call or return home until late.
After Abreu confronted the man, an argument ensued which became violent and resulted in the charges.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Tumbaga said the defendant struck the victim with an object and then threw a set of keys at him, causing injury and bleeding.
The victim was holding his five-year-old child at the time of the altercation and the seven-year-old was in the car but witnessed his injury after the assault. Police were called and an arrest was made at 3 a.m.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano told Abreu that she was taken advantage of in her childcare position when the victim made her stay so late with no contact or approval. It was the poor reaction to the situation and her loss of control in the presence of children that created the problem and resulted in the charges, he said.
Tumbaga asked the court to sentence Abreu to three days jail and an anger management course.
The court sentenced Abreu to jail for three days and granted the deferred acceptance of the no-contest plea. After a one-year term of probation, Abreu may motion the court to expunge the charges from her record.
Abreu had already completed her alternatives to domestic violence course prior to sentencing. Calma asked the court to grant the motion for deferred acceptance of the no-contest plea and for time served. He said Abreu and her sister care for their grandparents.
The judge issued a stay away order from the victim, with whom Abreu no longer has a relationship, Calma said.
